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Macklemore Gets Candid About Drug Addiction That Almost Ruined Music Career News

Early in his career, he used cocaine and marijuana to cope with newfound fame and alleviate his years-long battle with anxiety and depression. But African-Americans are 20 percent more likely than the general population to endure a severe mental health disorder, such as major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. His brothers sold crack and were frequently incarcerated, and his mother and sisters endured sexual abuse. His traumatic upbringing brought on bouts of anxiety and depression.

In this partnership, Macklemore has been named CLEAN Cause’s new Creative Director. Through his artistic vision and own personal experience, he hopes to raise awareness about addiction. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Macklemore’s first project with CLEAN Cause will be a video series titled “Drink to This.” While the series is yet to be released, a short trailer can be found on YouTube.

Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Levels of Care

As he explained, in 2014, when he began experiencing success in his career, Chance moved to North Hollywood and was high on Xanax every day. His addiction resulted in broken relationships and a lack of productivity. Six months later, he moved back to Chicago, his hometown, and stopped using drugs. In 2006, after the death of a friend, he began abusing Vicodin, one of the most dispensed prescription painkillers in the United States.

rappers that struggle with addiction

DMX was very open and honest about his struggles with addiction. He had committed to putting his sobriety and family first, but like others with addiction know, it’s not an easy journey or process, and relapse is always a possibility. Denny Kolsch, an Orlando-based mental health counselor who specializes in addiction and mood-related disorders, says that socioeconomic factors may be another reason African-American rappers allude to drug use in their music. “If peers and friends are talking about their own experiences with substance abuse or mental illness, as a society we’re highly influenced by them and by people who hold high places in our culture. Logic is a great example of how to own your own struggles and destigmatize them,” he said. If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction to opioids, our addiction specialists are available around the clock to assist you and all calls are completely confidential. Evoke Wellness offers safe medical detoxification in a comfortable environment and with minimal discomfort.

The War On Drug’s Ongoing Impact On Black People

Founder Wes Hurt noticed that the sober living experience was crucial to the recovery process, especially when it comes to forming routines, finding employment, and preparing to re-enter the world. For this reason, CLEAN Cause donates 50% of their net profits, or 5% of net revenues, whichever is greater, to help fund sober living scholarships. Almost 3,000 scholarships, around $1.5 million, have been backed through CLEAN Cause. If I’m not reaching out to others, being of service, going to meetings, working the steps, I will eventually forget how bad it gets. I will end up thinking that the drug is the best solution to take me out of whatever momentary pain I’m in,” Macklemore wrote in his TODAY essay. Jermaine Cole is a 33 year old rapper from Fayetteville, North Carolina. His latest release, KOD, is a long meditation on addiction, whether it be chemical dependency, a tantalizing lifestyle, or sexual addiction.

  • The woman was not injured but the officer decided there was probable cause to arrest Jacobs on a misdemeanor battery charge.
  • In 2017, he spoke with XXL about maintaining his sobriety after his release.
  • He remembers realizing that no one in hip hop had been openly sober before.
  • He entered into rehab, relapsed on methadone pills, and nearly killed himself.

Then other rappers, including Dr. Dre, started positively portraying smoking cannabis in their music and during interviews. For years, rap music has glorified substance use, portraying rappers that struggle with addiction getting high as an activity with little consequence. Although this trend continues, more rappers today are using their platforms to spread awareness for addiction and mental illness.